Presidential Research & Communications Unit

Address by President Yar‘Adua at the inauguration of the board of the National Boundary Commission and the Governing Council of NEMA
Oct 7, 2008, 13:34

PROTOCOL
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the inauguration of the Board of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) as well as the Governing Council of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

NBC and NEMA, both of which are headed by His Excellency, the Vice President as Chairman, are very critical Agencies in actualizing the Federal Government’s delivery on its covenant with the people of Nigeria.

The National Boundary Commission is charged with the mandate of facilitating the resolution of boundary disputes which may arise between Nigeria and any of her neighbours, or among and between the States, the Local Governments and the various communities within the Federation. In line with our development objectives, the Commission is expected to come up with dynamic proactive initiatives for the prompt and dynamic determination of all boundary-related matters with a view to effectively boosting peaceful co-existence, engendering inclusiveness, and enhancing the welfare of our people.

Specifically, I expect that the NBC Board will vigorously pursue the on-going matter of the extension of Nigeria’s continental shelf beyond the present 200 nautical miles. The successful conclusion of this exercise will no doubt increase the frontiers of our national sovereignty and boost our national resource base.

As a cardinal principle of our foreign policy, and consistent with the African Union’s vision of greater integration, Nigeria is irrevocably committed to peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. The readiness with which we accepted to execute the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon, is clear evidence of our abiding faith in the exigency of peace and stability for sustained growth and development on our continent.
Central to our Seven Point Agenda is the pursuit of those policies and programmes that guarantee the welfare and wellbeing of all Nigerians. We have an obligation not only to ensure the protection of lives and property, but to also ensure speedy, timely, efficient and effective response when natural or man-made disaster strikes. NEMA is the body charged with the mandate of driving this critical obligation.

The task before the NEMA Governing Council being inaugurated today is an onerous one. They have the duty of guiding the Management of the Agency in the direction of productive innovation, higher diligence, more prudence, greater efficiency, and above all, proactive commitment.

In line with our Administration’s commitment to strict adherence to due process, accountability and transparency in the conduct of all government business, the Management of both Agencies must work within the framework of the mandates and policy guidelines as spelt out in the relevant acts establishing them. Of paramount importance is the need to work harmoniously with their supervising bodies.

I charge the members of the National Boundary Commission Board and the Governing Council of the National Emergency Management Agency to see their assignment as a national call that demands the utmost sense of duty and dedicated service to the Fatherland. You can be assured of the Federal Government’s unstinted support at all times as you face up to the discharge of your vital national assignments.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my distinct honour to formally inaugurate the National Boundary Commission and the Governing Council of the National Emergency Management Agency.

Thank you.